Dear Friends;
I had planned to write about the wonderful visit we’ve had with our partner church minister, Biro Mihaly and his charming wife, Elizabeth.
We traveled to Boston, Lexington and Concord together last week, and I’ll tell you about that wonderful adventure, soon.
There’s a line from a Beatle’s song: ‘Life is what happens to you while you’re making other plans.’
Yesterday, when I came home from my early morning walk, I got a call from my son, Jonathan who said, “I’m so sorry to hear about Christopher Reeve.” He told me that he heard that Chris died. I nearly fell over.
I wrote to you about a recent conversation with Chris about the film he directed this summer: The Brooke Ellison Story, which will be shown on television a week from Monday. He told me about the bothersome infection, but neither he, nor anyone else, thought it would be fatal.
As I write to you today I’m working on a private memorial service that will be held at his home in a few hours-past tense, by the time you read this.
I’m also working on a memorial tribute that I’ll do here on October 31.
My friend, mentor and colleague Herb Adams is going to be in the pulpit on October 24 to celebrate my 20th anniversary with you. My dear step-daughter, Carlyn, will be playing the cello for the prelude at both services that day. I’m thrilled with the gift both of them have given to me, and will give me on the 24th. I hope you’ll be able to be here.
Now I’m simply feeling devastated by Chris’s sudden, unexpected death, and I have my work to do this afternoon-to be there as minister to his family and close circle of friends.
I hope to be able to take part in the ongoing work of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation. If you haven’t already done so, you could send a memorial contribution to the foundation at 500 Morris Avenue, Springfield, NJ 07081
Christopher touched my life in a way that’s too deep for words. I’ll cherish that touching for the rest of my life, and do what I can to live a life of dignity and courage in the face of adversity, as he did.
“Now, say to thyself: ‘If there’s any good thing I can do, or any kindness I can show to any person, let me do it now, let me not defer or neglect it, for I may not pass this way again.'”
Yours,
Frank
